Apparatus for making sheet material



E. M. KRATZ APPARATUS FbR MKING SHEET MATERIAL Original Filed Sept. 12, 1958 9 v 1 warm P 1944- E. KRATZ I 2,346,765

APPARATUS EOR'MAKING vsmmzu' MATERIAL Origifial Filed Sept. 12, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 2' Ap 18, 1944. EM. KRATZ- i APPARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET MATERIAL Original Filed Sept. 12. 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 QAN April 18', 1944. "E. M. KRATZ 2,346,765

' APPARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET MATERiAL Original Fil d Sept. 12. 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 18, 1944. KRATZ 2,346,755

APPARATUS FCR MAKING SHEET MATERIAL Original File'd Sept. 12, l938 9 She ets-Sheet 5 E. M. KRATZ j APPARI-XTUS FOR MAKING SHEET MATERIAL 9 Sheefs-Sheet 6 Original Filed Sept. 12, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet m &

lulll ll E. M. KRATZ APPARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET MATERIAL Original Filed Sept. 12, 1938 I 1 I I l I a v I I I I u Vllillllfllllfllllllf/Ia I I I z a I I z I I r a z 5 I IIJIIlI/lIl/flll/III!!! VIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII.

Aprilv 944. EM. KRATZ APPARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET MATERIAL Original Filed Sept. 12, 1958 S SheetS-Sheet s f m W E. M.KRATZ APPARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET MATERIAL Original Fild Sept. 12, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Apr, 18, I

UNlTED s ATss PATENT. OFFICE I D iirraaarusignilusnne sneer Edouard m. Krsts, enema. ma. animus, I

by mesne assignments, to Carbide and Carbon Corporation. New Tort, 18.11., a cor- August 29, 1940, Serial No. 354,641 4 claims. (Cl. 18-15) This invention relates to an improved method Figs. 16 and 1'1 are sections, respectively, on the and apparatus ior makingwebs or sheets from, lines lS-ii and i'I--l1 01118- film forming materials such as casein or syn-' Figs. 18 and 19 are plan and side elevations oi thetlc resin solutions, ior example. the intermediate portion of the drying apparatus;

Thi application is a division or my co ending Figs. and 21 are sections, espe tively. On the sggication', Serial No. 229,509, died September 12, lines 20-40 and 2 i-I lof Fig. 18;

The mainpbiects of the invention are to provide tively, of another portion of the drying apparatus; a method and apparatus by which high speed 1 Fig. 24 is a section on the line 24- of Fig. 22; production of sheeting or webbing oi the character in Figs. and 26 correspond, respe tively. to is Figs. 22 and 23 are plan and side views respecindicated may be carried on; to provides, method .1 and 4 or thedrawings but show a modified arand apparatus for the purpose indicated whereby rangement;

a sheet or web or very thin but uniform thickness Figs. 27' and '28 are side and end view p -i may beproduced; to provides method and means tively, of a form of device which may be empl ye whereby a soft and pliable sheet may be formed; 45 if desired for conveyor belt guiding purposes; and

and in general,'it is the object of this invention to Fig. 29 is an end view of an alternative means provide an improved method and apparatus'ior for maintaining a conveYO in transverse]? the purpose indicated. flat condition.

Other objects and advantages of the invention The improved apparatus herein contemplated will be understood by reference to the following 20 embodies a metallic belt 25 which may be of bra specification and accompanying drawings (nine v stainless steel or other metals provided with a suit- -sheets) wherein there is illustrated the improved ably polished or otherwise treated, coated or apparatus for making sheet material by the implated surface. If brass is employed itmay be proved method. buried to a very high polish and ii steel is employed in the drawings: 25 in the belt a satisfactory surface may be provided 7 Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic repreby plating the beltIwith nickel or some other metal sentation of the improved apparatus; which produces a satisfactory, smooth finish. In Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are longitudinal sections reone embodiment of the apparatus the conveyor 25 spectively, Figs. 2 and 4 illustrating the opposite is approximately one hundred and sixty ieet'lorig.

end portions and-Fig. 3 illustrating the portions oil Theiilm forming solution is delivered to the belt h pparatus intermediate the opposite end porwhere it passes around a drum 2G. The solution 9 i is spread'to form 2. him of the desired thickness 5 perspeiiflvelting the portions on the conveyor belt 25 which carries the him into oi the apparatus where the liquid material is dee a dryingoven. ,As shown in Figure 1, the oven is livered to it for formation into a sheet; as represented in its entirety at 21.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the mechanism The oven-2'] is divided into three sections, each shown in Fig. 5 together with certain other mechof which is supplied with hot air, the arrangement anism at the receiving end of the apparatus; including means wherebythe temperature oi'the Fig. 7 is an elevation of an end portion of the air supplied to each section may be controlled and apparatus asindicated by the line 1-1 of Fig. 6; adjusted independently or the other sections.

Fig. 8 iso sectional illustration showing in dc- The conveyor belt 25 is supported at one end tail the arrangement for delivering the liquid naby the drum 2! and at its other end by a drum terlal to the apparatus and for forming the sheet r roller 28. The film of material adheres to-the from such liquid material; v v belt to such an extent that the him will continue s- 9 is a perspective, illustrating an arrange- M to travel with the belt on its return reach until v merit for controlling sidewise shifting of a belt 'or the film is separated from the belt and conducted band on which the sheet material is carried for to windins'mechsnism indicated at 20.

drying purposes; A As indicated'in Figure \1, the belt '25 15 51 1)! Fig. 10 is a section on the line "-40 of Fig. 3; ported solely bythe llsor drums 2i and 28. The Figs. 11 and 12 are sections respectively on the oven 21 is shaped longitudinally to correspond to lines li-H and [2-42 of 1 13.10; the common catenary curve or the belt. thereby Fig. 13 is a section on the line lt-l: of Fig. 11; avoiding the provision oi excess space in the oven Figs. 14 and 15 are plan and side views'oi a porwhich would absorb some of the heat supplied rial;

tion of the apparatus for drying the sh e t to it and thereby hinder the dryin operation. Y iii The oven 21 may be made oi suitable material,

or by proper selection or the for example, salvanized sheet metal on an angle iron or like frame structure. The oven may and preferably should be provided with suitable thermal insulation to assist in maintaining the desired temperatures therein. Such details of the oven construction are not herein illustrated l transverse to th 10 II, If on a ro 83 which which are vertic bers ll, 48. The zontally slidably I is supported bracket arms 84,

with or attached to convenientl portions of the apparatus.

To effect reciprocation of the bar ll and theredelivcred to the sheet or web forming apparatus ll by reciprocation of the nozzles 44 crosswise of the before the solution sets to any appreciable extent direction of travel of the belt 28, the bar is con- U. the present apparatus provides for nected by means of a link II to a crank pin 56 the mixing of the casein solution with the proper carried by a rotatably driven member 01. The amount of formaldehyde at a point immediately latter may be mounted for rotation in an conthe delivery of the solution to the form- 20 veniently provided bracket and it may be driven s apparatus, by anysuitable arrangement. It will be observed As est shown in Figure 5, the casein solution that the revolution of the crank pin It will be is conducted to the apparatus by a pipe line so transmitted by the link 55 to the bar I! which'will which is connected with any suitable source of be reciprocated accordingly. supply. The pipe line ll conducts the material 2 The U-shaped element Ii is provided with rollto a pump 8i which is actuated by an electric ers suchas 5a which are adapted to engage the motor I! to a suitable speed reducing d vi a marginal portions of the surface of the drum 2. and a variable speed driving device; as, The beyond the respective edges of the conveyor belt pump ll delivers the casein solution throug a A doctor blade I! is adiustably mounted on pipe line a to a mixing device a which is actua a sve sely extending su po ti s er c motor 31 or by her suitable The supporting member It is provided with means The formaldehyde solution is conducted from a suitable source of supply by a pipe line as to a pump 3| which is actuated by the motor a: the speed reducing and speed conunits 83 and N. The p mp ll delivers the g e through a pipe line so into the mixer By suitable valves not herein illustrated,

capacities of the pumps 8i and so. the prop rtion of the formaldeand casein solutions may be ccurately con- Also, the volume of these materials dee maybe controlled by adthe controlling device 84.

and formaldehyde mixture is dea pipe line Ii from the mixer I! to a manifold 42, which is provided with a inthis case, eight) discharge outrespectiv'ely connected b flexible relative to-the conveyor belt. It will.. of. be understoo that both forms of adjustvided.

mentmaybepro The male supportin rod 40 is carried in this instance-by means of a pair of hangers 41, 4 7s the u so posite end portions of the supporting me laterally extending arms ii, I which are pivotally mounted at their free ends on a rod 82 which is mounted at its ends in the side members ll of -shaped member. Provision for adjusting the doctor blade carrying member II vertically relative to the conveyor member 25, consists in this instance of screws such as 83 which threadedly engage suitably tapped openings in the opmber N. The screws 68 may be turned until their lower ends rest on the U-shaped member II. It will y adjusting the screws If, the doctor blade and its supporting member so may be adjusted to or from the conveyor member 25. A lock nut or similar device indicated at 84 may be provided on the screws II for locking the latter in the desired adjusted position.

. Th member 60 is preferably made hollow as indicated in Figure 8 and a heating medium such as hot water may be supplied therethrough by a flexible hose connection II and drained therefrom by a similar connection indicated at II. The drum 2. is also preferably hollow and adapted to have its temperature controlled by supplying to the interior of the drum hot water or the like, the same being supplied through a supply pipe I! and drained therefrom by a pipe as.

The doctor blade I! may be secured to the supporting .member I through the agency or screws such as indicated at 0!. Provision for adjusting the doctor blade relative to the supporting member so may include screws such as indicated at ll provided with headed ends II which fit into slots or grooves 12 provided in the doctor blade It. The screws ll threadcdly engage a suitably tapped opening in bosses such as indicated at 18 vwhi r II. The upper ends of the bly squared or otherwise treat- 14 to facilitate turning of the screws are prefera ed as indicated at 5, the last dech may becarrled by the erations on the of ridges in the casein short intervals along.

nozzles on a pivotally mountdoctoring mechanism upwardly away from the facilitate cleaning or other opbelt or drum or adjacent parts of the apparatus. Also, by mounting the nozzles 44 for reciprocation transversely, the formation solution adjacent the doctor blade is eliminated. It-will be understood that in the event that the delivery nozzles were to remain stationary, the material delivered to the conveyor belt would spread out approximately uniformly on the belt but that where adjacent streams of the material come together they would tend to pile up to form ridges of material. Formation of such ridges is somewhat objectionable in that it tends to interfere with unformity of the web formed on the apparatus. I

As best shown in Figure 5, the drum 2G (and thereby the belt 25) is source of power such as an electric motor indicated at". The motor I! is suitably connected to a variable speed controlling unit 18 which in turn drives a suitably iournalled shaft II. The shaft 11 is equipped with a worm gear I! which meshes with a worth wheel-l9 mounted on the tubular shaft 80 of the drum 26.

The shaft 11 is also connectedthrough the agency of suitable gear connections enclosed in a housing such as indicated at II to a shaft 82. 'The shaft 82 extends transversely of the machine conveyor belt to and is equipped at the opposite side of the apparatus with a pulley or sprocket represented at 83 which is connected by a chain or belt designated 84 to means for driving the rotating member 51.

It will be evident that a supply of casein and formaldehyde solution delivered to the band or belt 25 by the nozzles M will be formed into a Qweb of uniform thickness on the beltincident to the travel of the & belt under the doctor blade. The web of materialon the belt enters-the upper portion of the adjacent end of the drying oven 21 as best shown in Figure 1.

'It is subjected to heat as soon as it entersthe drying oven. Hot air is initially supplied to the oven adjacent the other or far end thereof. that is, adjacent the belt supporting roll or drum 18. For convenience. in reference of the apparatus, it 'willbe identified by'the reference numeral 8!.

Referring to Figures 22 to 24. inclusive, it will be vseen that there is provided a blower 88 connected by a conduit 89 and N. r The conduits 88, 89 and 9| are respectively connected to the end portion 05 of the oven near the top, central and'bottom portions thereof as shown. By this arrangement, a'desirable uniformity of the distribution of hot air is obtained in the oven. The blower I. is con-- nected to a heating unit- OI which pro-heats air supplied thereto through a suitable filtering-device indicated at if. By emp oyin thenltering device 2, dust and quatelyremoved from the and delivered tosheet formedon the conveyor air which-is heated belt-is kept clean 81 to branching conduits 8!."

other foreign matter is odethe oven so that the. protein;

- supplying hot air to frame 5|, it is made very in FigurelQ. The air driven from a suitable v and" exhaust connections closely other as-illustrated, the effect is obtained of hav- Figures, 18

'jacent end'portion of the furnace air is supplied by the blower 86. For this purpoint to which hot and free from dust and other matter which might impair its finish. Suitable thermostatic controls (not shown) may be provided forgov ernlng the temperature to which the air is heated by the heating unit 0|.

A-similar heating arrangement is provided for the intermediate portion of the oven, such arrangement being illustrated in to 21, inclusive. By reference to the last mentioned .flgures, it willbe seen that there is provideda blower M which is connected by a conduit M to conduit branches 95, 96 and 91, which enter the 'oven 21 by means of delivery nozzles which direct the air away from the adjacent exhaust connections as most clearly shown supplied to the branches 95, 8G and is obtained primarily from the adto which hot pose there is provided a conduit 98 which has vertically spaced exhaust connections indicated at 99, 95 to the oven air is delivered thereto by the branches 95, 98 and 91. The conduit 98 also has an intermediate connection indicated at I00. which connects with both the upper and lower sections of the furnace. By reference to Figures l to 4, inclusive, it will be observed that the oven is provided interiorly with hollow sheet metal fillers designated III, I02 and I03, respectively, which-in effect divide the furnace into upper and lower passes for the upper and lower reaches ofthe conveyor belt 25. a By providing the inlet ing a transverse wall in the oven intermediate the adjacent ends of the fillers Ill, I02 and 103. It is likely that some of the hot air from one section of the furnace passes directly intothe other section but the volume thereof is so small that it has no objectionable effect on the reheated air which is supplied through conduits such as 95,36 and S1.

Afresh supply of air may also be injected into the furnace by the blower 93, and an intake I being suitably connectedto this purpose.- The inlet I is also preferably provided with means for filtering the .freshlzig similar to the-heating unit 9|, heating the air delivered to it by Hot air" is supplied to the receiving end portion of the furnace by means of a blower I06.

. delivered by then circuit.

7 is provided a divider I there is provided no means The blower llli receives the hot air from a conduit I" which has exhaust connections I08, I08 to the upper and lower passes of the intermedifurnace and also an interme- The hot air drawn from the intermediate furnace section is blown by the blower III through a delivery conduit Hll to branch conduits Ill and H2, which communicate ate section of the as bestshown in Figures 3, i5 and 17 with the,

upper chamber or pass of the furnace.

To more effectively separate the upper and lower passes of the furnace from each other. there ll as indicated. For practical purposes it is neither necessary nor desirable to re-heat the air before its delivery to the furnace, wherefor;

receiving end portionof the for heating the air blower'l; however, it will be if it shouldbe unitalsuch asjl :and Ill! may suitably interposed in the" air understood that the air, heating be provided and immediately preceding the the conduit 98 for desired to re-heat tending guide rods I28. The

same tendency to tions of the belt The lower section the receivingv end preferably supplied air supplied thereto by an air conditioning unit H4. suitable blower for impelling the air h and his connected by means of a conduit ill to or pass of the furnace under portion of the upper pass is an inlet in the delivery end portion of the lower pass of the furnace, as indicated at iii. The air exhausted from the delivery end of the lower The air conditioning unit I ll may include awith tempered and humidified pass of the furnace through the conduit I II is returned to the lower pass of the a conduit I II which has branches i II and I i I, respectlvely, connected as indicated at I and III to the top and bottom of the lower pass of the furnace as best shown in Figures 3.15 and 17. Dampers such as indicated at I22 may be provided in the various "*condults wherever desired for controlling the volume or .velocity of the air drawn from and delivered to the various portions of the furnace.

its middle than at its edges. 5

furna through L clined position relative to the length of the con- The device I" for counteracting the tendency of the upper reach of the belt to buckle comprises a pair of rolls III, Ill which are rotatably mounted at their opposite ends in' angle iron or other suitable frame pieces Ill. The frame pieces I28 and the parts carried thereby are provided with axially vertical bearing elements II! which slidably fit on vertically exuide rods I are supported by means of suitable brackets as indicated in Figure 10 which are in turn secured to the frame work or sides of the oven. The rolls 5,. I underlie the upperreach of the conveyor band 28 and the latter is maintained in contact with the rolls l2! across the entire width of the band by means of a series of grooved rollers III which are rotatably mounted on the frame rotate in either direction,

'of the belt.

aasenes sume apositionlowerthanthecentralpcrtior p rposeofresistingsncl portions of the conveyor belt.

Because of unavoidable inaccuracies in meat of the drums or reels II and 28 relative to each other, or due to other causes, there is a tendency for the conveyor belt to shift aidewise:

Justexactiy perpendicular to the length steer the belt to one side or III is adjusted to an invey'or belt with the mult that it eifects the desired shifting ofthe belt.

For eifecting' shifting oi the'roll III to incllned position for the purpose indicated, there is provided areversible electric motor I" which is equipped with a worm gear I" meshin with a worm wheel m. The worm wheel Ill is sescrew threaded hearing I. It will be apparent that when the motor I ll is energised to the bearing member way or the other so as assume the desired l lu- III will be shifted one to cause theroll ill to lar position.

members I28. The grooves in'the rollers I" are made deep enough to receive suillciently wide marginal portions of the belt to prevent said marginal portions from springing out of the grooves. Hence the frame members I26 and the parts carried thereby are, in effect, suspended from the side marginal portions of the conveyor belt. The weight of the straightening apparatus is-such that it is enough to hold the conveyor band to a substantially iiat condition transversely of its length and in which condition the band will enga'ge the entire length of the rolls III. The weight of the straightening device is not sumcient to effect inverted buckling, the latter being resisted by the-support of the rolls Ill. It will be observed that the straightening apparatus described more or less floats on the guide members III, III, the device being supported" by the engagement of the grooved rollers III with the opposite margins-of the belt.

The lower or return reach of the belt has the buckle but .the marginal por-' in the other in the lower reach tend to as- 7| from shifting of The operation of. by a gaming device which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends arm or contact member. I

of a two-way switch I. A spring I connected between said switch tted only when thebell crank it! is roched by outward movement of the roller Ill resulting the conveyor belt'in one directhat the direction and tion. In the event The two-way switch I45 is connected with suitable relays indicated at I49 and I50 which respectively control electrical circuits for operating th motor I35 in opposite directions. It will be seen that by proper adjustment of the two-way switch I45, the extent to which the conveyor belt 25 may shift sidewise may be effectively limited and controlled.

The film which is designated II is removed from the conveyor belt 25 closely adjacent the discharge outlet I52 in the drying furnace. The web or sheet of material I5I is guided around upper and lower rolls I53 as best shown in Figures 2 and 6, and then downwardly and horizontally under a guide roll I54. From the guide roll I54 the sheet I5I passes over a guide roll I55 which has associated with it trimming wheels I56, I55 for trimming the sides of the web so as to provide straight edges and to make the width of the sheet uniform throughout its length. As best shown in Figure 7, the trimming wheels I56 are mounted on a shaft I51 and they cooperate with the opposite ends of the roll I55 for trimming the sheet or web I5I.

The roll I55 is carried by a shaft I58 which is suitably journalled for rotation and the shaft I51 is also rotatably supported in suitable bearings provided in frame elements as shown. The trimming wheels I55 and the roller I55 are rotated as an incident to the gearing I59 which connects the shafts I51 and I56 and the engagement of a pulley I50, carried by the shaft I51, with a driving belt I6I. The belt I6I is driven by a pulley I52 (see Figures 5 and 6) which is carried by a shaft I53 and which shaft is driven by a belt I64. The belt I54 is driven by engagement with a pulley I65 carried by the driven shaft 82.

The material to be wound or reeled is wound on a suitable core such as indicated at I66 which may be carried by a shaft I61. The shaft I61 is journalled at one end in a bearing I68 and at its other end is supported in a suitable clutch element I69 which is connected with th armature .of a magnetic coupling device indicated in its entirety at I10.

The magnetic coupling device I may be in the form of a modified electric motor to which current may be supplied through an adjustable or variable resistance device "I. The field portion of the coupling device may be driven by means of a belt I6I as shown in Figures 6 and 7 and as an incident to the magnetic coupling, the armature portion of the device is also driven so that the clutch element I65 will impart rotation to the shaft I61 and core I66. The magnetic coupling device I10 may be of any selected form wherefore the details thereof are not herein specifically set forth. By varying the strength of the electric current supplied to the coupling device, the tension under which the sheet is wound upon the core may be varied to suit specific requirements. If a strong current is supplied to the coupling device the sheet will be wound tightly on the core, but if a weak current is supplied the sheet will be wound less tightly. It should be noted that the travel of the conveyor belt of the machine proceeds at a constant, fixed rate so that by varying the force which rotates the core I56 the winding tension is accordingly varied.

In one practical embodiment of the described apparatus, the conveyor belt 25 is operated at a speed of about fifty feet per minute. Transparent casein sheet material may be efllciently pro-- duced with the apparatus and the effective control of the drying conditions in the oven of the variable temperatures in the successive stages of the oven through which the belt travels permit the production of unusually clear, transparent material, free from discoloration by scorching or other causes resulting from the employment of heat for drying purposes. Also, by permitting a gradual increasing of the temperature to which the sheet is subjected in the drying furnace, thorough drying from the surface of the metallic belt to the outer or upper surface of the sheet is effected. In other words, the formation of 2. moisture retaining skin on the top surface of the sheet as an incident to the immediate application of high temperature is effectively avoided.

Instead of the above described adjustable roll I3I for guiding the belt 25, relatively fixed means may be employed for maintaining the belt in its proper position relative to the receiving end drum 25. Such means is illustrated in Figures 25, 27 and 28.

The relatively fixed guiding means is movable vertically but not substantially movable transversely of the conveyor belt 25. As shown best in Figures 2'7 and 28, the device comprises a pair of angle iron side members I15, I15, respectively located adjacent the opposite edges of the lowerv reach of the belt 25. Tubular rolls I16 extend between the opposite side members and are suitably rotatably mounted in bearings carried by the said side members. For engaging the opposite edges of the conveyor belt 25, there is provided a pair of grooved wheels I11, I11, each pair of the said wheels being located substantially in alignment with the axis of each roller I16. The respective grooved wheel I11 are rotatably supported on the ends of arms I16 and are so spaced from each other that the width of the conveyor belt 25 fits between them substantially as shown. As best shown in Figure 27, the arms I16 are pivoted at I19 intermediate their ends and grooved wheels such as I11 are mounted on each end of each of the arms I18. By mounting the grooved wheels in the manner explained, self-adjustment of the grooved wheels I11 relative to the side members I15 is permitted to insure satisfactory contact between each of the grooved wheels and the edge of the conveyor belt without requirin a burdensome degree of manufacturing accuracy.

The guiding unit, comprising the side members I15, I15, and attached parts, is more or less floatingly supported, so that it may readily adjust itself to the normal vertical position of the lower reach of the conveyor belt on which it acts. As shown in Figures 25 and 27, the device is located within the last stage of the drying oven and it is'connected thereto by means of links such as indicated at I00. The links I are pivoted at one end to the walls or frame of the drying oven and at their other ends to the side members I15 through the agency of brackets such as indicated at IOI. The links I80 permit the guiding device to move vertically but restrain it from horizontal travel with the conveyor belt. The weight of the guiding device is suitably counterbalanced so that it does not impose a load on the conveyor belt. One way of counter-balancing the guiding device is to provide one or more countar-balancing weights such as I82 connected by suitable flexible means I63 extending over pulleys such as I64, and connected to the guiding device.

It has been found that the above described guiding mechanism, when mounted within the drying oven at about one-third of the length of the conveyor belt from the receiving end thereof, will be automatically maintained in proper position relative to the drum 26. The maintenance of the belt in predetermined position on the drum 26 is considerably more important than positioning of the belt on the drum 28 at the other end of the apparatus.

As an alternative to the means I23 and I24 for maintaining the conveyor belt flat transversely, there may be provided a series of devices such as shown in Figures 25 and 29. Such devices comprise a tubular roll I85 rotatably mounted at its ends on brackets such as I86, and grooved wheels I8I receiving the opposite edge portions of the conveyor belt 25 and also rotatably mounted on the said brackets I88. As shown in Figure 29, the grooved wheels I81 are spaced from each other so that the width of the conveyor belt 25 fits between the grooved peripheries of the wheels so that the top and bottom flanges of the wheels engage surface portions of the belt to prevent its curling and to maintain the belt in flat condition against the surface of the roll I85. Such devices may be suitably mounted through the agency of brackets I88 on guide rods such as indicated at I 89 which may be mounted in the oven structure substantially as above explained for the guide rods I28. However, if preferred, the rollers I85 and associated parts may be floatingly supported by means such as above described for the guiding devices comprising the rollers I16 and the grooved wheels I'I'I. As shown in Figures 25 and 26, a series of four of the described devices are provided at suitably spaced intervals for maintaining the belt flat; more or less may be employedas desired and found advisable.

The described apparatus may be employed as already indicated for the production of sheet material of single ply thickness. However, if desired, the sheeting may be made multi-ply or laminated by the simple expedient of depositing additional coats of the forming liquid on preced ing plies, which in that case are not stripped from the belt until the desired number of plies have been formed. Such material, although of laminated construction, will have the characteristics of a relatively heavy single ply sheet since the new plies tend to fuse themselves to the previously formed plies.

In some cases the first ply of material may be formed of cellulose acetate or nitrate, or any natural or synthetic resin, or rubber composition to provide a backing of water-proof or other selected character.

In some instances, it is desired to apply reading material or the like on the sheet material and this may conveniently be done by printing on the conveyor belt with suitable printing ink or the like which will adhere strongly to the sheet formed on the belt and will be stripped from the latter when the sheet is removed from the belt.

Another method of marking the sheet material which may conveniently be practiced in connection with the formation of the sheeting is to apply the desired reading or display material on the belt with suitable pigmented material such as a paint which is dull or flat, and which strongly adheres to the belt. When a sheet is stripped from a belt bearing such indicia, the sheet will disclose the same indicia in the form of frosted or like areas, corresponding to the pigmented areas on the belt.

It is desirable that means be provided for facilitating the cleaning and polishing of the conveyor belt 25, Such means may comprise a suitable buffing wheel or drum I rotatably supported by frame work I! and driven by means such as an electric motor I92. The bufling drum I88 should preferably be mounted so as to be adjustable toward and from the conveyor belt so as to permit adjustment of the pressure with which the buffing drum acts on the belt. The bufllng device may be operated at any desired time but it is preferable that it be not operated during the production of sheet material on the belt.

The apparatus described may be modified in various ways without sacrificing the advantages set forth in the foregoing description and without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which should be determined by reference to the following claims, the same being construed as broadly as possible consistent with the state of the art.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described, an endless belt conveyor supported only at its ends and of such length as to necessarily assume a substantial catenary between its ends, an oven en.- closing areach of sa i d belt,said oven being arched longitudinally to approximate the catenary of said reach and being of such cross sectional area throughout its length as to provide between the material supporting surface of said reach and a wall of the oven, a passageway of approximately constant cross sectional area throughout the length of the oven, and means for circulating a dryLg medium longitudinally in said passageway in contact with the material supporting surface of said reach of the conveyor.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a horizontal elli less .belt conveyor supported only at its ends and of such length 'as to necessarily assume a substantial catenary between its ends, meansfor spreading liquid material on said conveyor at "one end of the upper reach thereof, an oven enclosing said conveyor and provided with longitudinally extending partitioning means inter mediate the upper and lower reaches of the belt for forming with the upper and lower walls respectively of the oven, separated passes for the respective reaches of the conveyor, said oven being arched longitudinally to approximate said catenary of the conveyor and being of such cross sectional area throughout its length as to provide between the material supporting surfaces of the upper and lower reaches of the conveyor and the upper and lower walls respectively of the oven, passageways of approximately constant cross sectional area throughout the length of the oven,

means for circulating agdryingmedium longitudina d'passageways in contact with the material supporting surfaces of the respective reaches of the conveyor,and meansfgi; removing .the resulting dried film from the lower reach 0 the conveyor.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a horizontal endless belt conveyor embodying rolls supporting the conveyor at its ends only, said conveyor being of such length as to necessarily assume a substantial catenary between its supported ends, said rolls being of such diameter as to space the reaches of the belt a substantial distance from each other, W

depositing materia1...Qn ..thL ,PPer reach of the belt'idiaent one end thereof, an oven enclosing the belt and provided with a longitudinally extending hollow partition cooperating with the upper and lower walls of the oven to form upper and lower oven passes respectively enclosing the upper and lower reaches of the belt, said oven and partition being arched longitudinally to approximate the catenary of the belt to thereby maintain the cross sectional area of said passes substantially constant throughout the length of the oven, means for circulating a drying medium in said passes in contact with the material supporting surfaces of said reaches of the conveyor, said hollow partition serving to exclude from said passes a portion of the oven intermediate upper and lower reaches of the belt so as to thereby avoid excessive cross sectional area in said passes whereby the circulation of said drying medium in said passes is facilitated.

4. In apparatus of the class described, an endless belt conveyor supported only at its ends and of such length as to necessarily assume a substantial catenary between its ends, an oven enclosing a reach of said belt, said oven being arched longitudinally to approximate the catenary of said reach and being of such cross-sectional area throughout its length as to provide between the material supporting surface of said reach and a wall of the oven, a passageway of approximately constant cross-sectional area throughout the length of the oven, and means for heating said oven so as to dry material carried through said oven by said conveyor.

EDOUARD M. KRATZ, 

